Inertia machine



g- 3, 1965 c. 1.. MOORE 3,198,124

INERTIA MACHINE Original Filed April 26. 1961 I "i INVENTOR. l9 CECIL L.MOORE BY ymwmwgwzu 21M A++orneys United States Patent 0 7 Claims. (Cl.103-71) The application is a division of application Serial No. 105,712,now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to machines for receiving energy inrandom form from an external source and concentrating it in useful formto do work, and more particularly to a machine wherein the base thereofis moved by forces external thereto and the motions thereby imparted tothe base move an inertial mass whose resistance to movement is caused toperform useful work.

Over the years, men have found various ways of harnessing energymanifested in various forms in nature. One of the earliest means of sodoing was the employment of windmills, whereby the winds could be usedto pump water and to generate electricity. Another means of harnessingenergy from nature involves the use of dams and electrical generatorswhereby the energy in falling water is utilized to produce electricity.Another method of utilizing energy readily available in nature is theconcentration of the rays of the sun by means of reflectors and the liketo produce localized high temperatures. Still another, is exemplified insolar batteries.

The present invention is adapted to the harnessing of energy from wavesin fluid and especially water. Accordingly, it has found practicalapplication in boats Where it is particularly useful as a bilge pump.

Heretofore, boats have required electrically or engine driven pumps inorder to move water from the bilge overboard, with the attendantrequirement of electricity, fuel oil, or some other relatively expensivesource of energy. In addition, the pump and its drive means requiredeither automatic or manual control. In the former instance thecomplications of switches and sensing means are involved and in thelatter instance it requires the constant attention or at least frequentattention of a human operator. In addition to these disadvantages ofconventional means employed as bilge pumps, they usually requireconsiderable maintenance. This is especially true where the pump is madeof comparatively corrosive materials.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to harness energyoccurring at random in nature to make the energy available forperforming useful work.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide means forharnessing energy in waves of fluid.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a machinedriven by motions of a boat in water.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump driven bymotions of the boat in the water.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump of theforegoing nature requiring no attention, operable continuously, andrequiring no external power.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a pump of theforegoing character readily adapted to various sizes, weights andcapacities and to the use of simple and inexpensive manufacturingmethods and materials.

In a typical embodiment of this invention, an inertial mass is suspendedabove the base by means of a plurality of springs, pistons, andcylinders in a tripod arrangement. The mass is suspended thereby inorder to provide three degrees of freedom. Appropriate hose connectionsand valving are provided in order to provide an inlet for water from thebilge of the boat and an overboard outlet for 3,198,124 Patented Aug. 3,1965 water pumped by the relative motion between the inertial mass andthe base thereof caused by motions of the boat in water.

The full nature of this invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and the claims.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a typical embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section through the valve employed in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the section being taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the pump includes a base member 11. Whilethis member is illustrated as a flat plate, it should be understood thatthroughout this specification, where the term base is used, it shouldnot be considered limited to a plate as shown but rather usedgenerically and intended to include any combination of supporting meansto which the pump is mounted. The pump is arranged somewhatsymmetrically about the axis 12 and includes a generally frusto-conicalinertial mass 13. Mass 13 is supported by a coil spring 14 bearing onthe underside 16 of the mass and on a base block 17 mounted to the base11. A plurality of combinations of cylinders, pistons and springs isshown disposed around the axis 12 and coupled in tripod arrangementbetween the inertial mass and the base.

A swivel 18 is mounted to the post 19 affixed to the base 11, the pin 21in the groove 22 of the post 19 providing a pivotal mounting about theaxis 23. Cylinder 24 is pivotally mounted by means of the pin 26 to theswivel 18. A piston 27 is received in the cylinder 24 and has a pistonrod 28 extending upwardly therefrom and coupled to the inertial mass bymeans of the universal joint 29. The piston rod is connected to thejoint by means of the pin 31 and the joint is connected to the inertiamass by means of the pin 32. A coil spring 33 is disposed around thepiston rod and between the cylinder and the inertia mass.

The piston has radially extending flange portions 34 adjacent each endthereof and in the annular groove 36 between the flange portions isdisposed a wax seal 37. The wax seal has at least a portion which iscontinuous around the piston and the wax provides not only a sealingmeans but also lubrication for the piston operating in the cylinder. Thediameter of the wax seal is slightly greater than that of the flangeportions so that the seal and not the flange portions is the bearingmember against the cylinder inside wall. The wax employed is of acomparatively high melting temperature type to avoid running out whenthe pump sets in the hot sun or some other hot environmental condition.Beeswax is a typical suitable Wax.

A tube 41 connects each of the chambers between the piston and theclosed end of the cylinder to a valve body 42. An inlet pipe 43 whichmay be from a sump or the bilge of the boat is also connected to thevalve body 42 as well as an outlet pipe 44 which may conduct water to asuitable disposal place such as overboard.

FIG. 3 which is a section taken along the lines 3-3 in FIG. 2illustrates a typical relationship between the inlets and outlets andthe tubes 41 communicating with the cylinders of this invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, a ball check valve 56 on the conical seat 47 preventsflow of liquid from the chamber 48 backward into the inlet conduit 43.Similarly, the ball check valve 49 is provided on the seat 51 to preventflow of liquid from the chamber 52 back toward the chamber 48.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a rod 61 having a ball 62 at its lower endreceived in the socket 63 in the base block 17 passes through theaperture 64 in the mass 13 and has threads adjacent its upper end forthe attachment or mounting thereto of the jam nuts 67. The rod is pro- Ivided so that the pump may be inverted for shipping and the nutsadvanced toward the inertia mass so that it will be carried by the rodand not by the spring'or the pistons during transit in an upside downcondition during shipment.

In the operation of the illustrated embodiment of the in the base of thepump, the pistons will be actuated in the cylinders. As a piston ismoved in the upward or withdrawal direction with respect to thecylinder, it will draw fluid from the inlet 43 through a ball checkvalve 44 and into the conduit 41. Then as the piston is forced towardthe closed end of the cylinder in its return direction, the ball checkvalve 46 will be seated and the check valve 4d will be opened thuspermitting movement of the fluid in the cylinder to the outlet conduit44. On suction strokes of each of the pistons the check valve 46 asso.-'

ciated therewith will be opened and check valve 49 will be closed. Onpressure movements of a piston, the check valve 46 associated therewithwill be seated and the valve 49 will be opened.

Accordingly the motions of the pistonscaused by the resistance of theinertia mass to tilting or other motions of the base will cause aneffective pumping of fluid from the inlet to the outlet of the valve andin the boat the application can be used to cause pumping of water fromthe bilge overboard.

The springs 33 are capable of providing a restoring and centering orbalancing action tending to move the mass 13 directly over the ballsocket 63. The lines of action of the springs therefore intersect orconverge to an intersection at the point '72 in FIG. 2 which ispreferably the center of mass of the inertia mass 13. The frusto-conicalshape of the mass is the most convenient shape used though other shapesmay be employed if desired. Instead'of the coil springs shown, othertypes of resilient members may be used in their place. Moreover, itisnot absolutely necessary that the springs be disposed around a pistonrod or in similar relationship, so long as they are disposed in order toprovide a restoring or centering force or bias on the mass 13. Thecentrally located spring 14 may be dispensed with if desired, but whenincluded it aids the sensitivity of the pump. When eliminated, springs33 provide the support as well as the centering and the positioningforce. I It is not essential that universal joints or swivels of thetype shown in the figures be employed, I

but ball sockets or other types of junctions or couplings may beemployed.

Moreover, it is not necessary that pistons and cylinders be used. Othermeans may be used 4: the valves could be mounted in the cylindersthemselves. The embodiment shown lends iteself to simple manufacturingmethods and many parts may be molded or cast in one piece.

In addition to the obvious advantages of this invention, it should bepointed out that it is able to use'motions of the boat or ship in anydirection and at. any frequency. It is insensitive to varyingfrequencies and works constantly because of the slight forces required.It requires no attention and saves power and is extremely rugged anddurable. It can be readily modified. to meet'wide varieties of demands.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail inthe drawings and foregoing descripton, they are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, in character, as other modificationsmay readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and withinthe broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appendedclaims.

Iclaim:

1. An inertia machine mounted to a movable base for performing usefulworkin response to motions of the base to which it is mounted andcomprising: an inertial massjresilient means coupled to the base andsupporting said inertial mass and normally positioning said mass at acertain point with respect to said base, the resilient means providingfreedom of movement ofsaid mass and saidmass'being movable rectilinearlyand curvilinearly in every direction from said point; means coupledbetween said mass and said baseand having a chamber therein ofvariablecapacity whereby motions of the base change the positional relationshipbetween the base and said inertial mass to cause variations in capacityof the chamber; a fluid in said chamber; and valve means coupled to saidchambered means whereby said machine is adapted to pump said fluid, saidchambered means being responsive to movements of said mass in everydirection from said point to pump said fluid upon each movement of saidmass from said point.

,2. An inertia machine mounted to a movable base for performing usefulwork in response to motions of the baseto which it is mountedand-comprising: an inertial mass; resilient'means coupled to the baseand supporting said inertial mass above said resilient means, theresilient means providing three degrees of freedom of movement of saidmass; variable chamber means coupled between said mass and said base andhaving a chamber therein of variable capacity whereby motions of thebase temporarily change the positional relationship between the base andsaid inertial mass to cause variations in capacity of the chamber; afluid in said chamber; and valve means coupled to' said chamber meanswhereby said machine is adapted to pump said fluid, said inertial massbeing sup- .base; an, inertial r'nassya plurality of means includingsprings coupled between said base and said inertial mass for positioningsaid mass. in spaced relation to the base,

' the couplings of the springs to the inertial mass being invention, asingle piston could be employed in the location of the spring 14 of FIG.2 and the pistons disposed around in tripod arrangement could bedispensed with. However, in this instance balancing springs wouldnevertheless be employed in a tripod arrangement.

The valve body and the arrangement of the tubing connecting thecylinders to the valve is only illustrative, as many othervariationscould be employed. For-example,

disposed generally at closer distances'with respect to each other thanthe couplings of' the springs to the base are disposed with respect toeach other, to provide lines of action of said positioning meansconvergin'g'in said mass for a-mass centering bias} a plurality ofvariable chamber means coupled to said mass and said base for varyingthe capacity of the chambers thereof upon relative motion between themass and thebase; passageways for carrying fluid, said passageways beingin communication with said variable chamber means, with a fluid inlet,and with a discharge outlet; valve means in said passageways wherebymotions of the boat and resistance of the inertial mass to change ofmotion varies the capacity of said variable chamber means to pump fluidfrom the inlet to the discharge outlet.

5. A pump for a boat or the like and comprising: a base; an inertialmass; means coupled to said base and said inertial mass and including aresilient unit, for positioning said inertial mass in spaced relation tothe base; pumping means coupled to said base and said inertial mass andincluding a cylinder, and a piston in said cylinder to provide avariable chamber therein; means pivotally fastening said piston andcylinder in combination to the inertial mass and said base; passagewaysfor carrying fluid, said passageways communicating with said cylinder,with a fluid bearing sump, and with a discharge outlet; and valve meanscoupled to said passageways whereby motions of the boat and theresistance of the inertial mass to change of motion moves said pistonwith respect to said cylinder to pump fluid from the sump to thedischarge outlet.

6. A pump for a boat or the like and comprising: a base; an inertialmass; a spring supporting said inertial mass above the base; a pluralityof means laterally positioning and balancing said inertia mass above thebase, said means including a cylinder and a piston in said cylinder toprovide a variable chamber therein; means pivotally fastening saidpiston and cylinder in combination to the inertial mass and said base,the means fastening to the base being disposed generally at greaterdistances from each other than distances between the means fastening tothe inertial mass, and said positioning and balancing means includingand a spring between said base and the inertial mass to provide a massbalancing and centering bias; passageways for carrying fluid, saidpassageways communicating with said cylinder, with a fluid containingsump, and with a discharge outlet; and valve means in said passagewayswhereby motions of the boat and the resistance of the inertial mass tochange of motion, moves said piston with respect to said cylinder topump fluid from the sump to the discharge outlet.

7. A pump for a boat or the like and comprising: a base; an inertialmass; a plurality of means coupled to said base and said inertial massfor positioning said inertial mass above the base, each of said meansincluding a cylinder and a piston in said cylinder to provide a variablechamber therein; means pivotally fastening said positioning means to theinertial mass and said base, the means fastening to the base beingdisposed at a distance radially outwardly from a line through the centerof the mass and normal to a plane including at least three of said meansfastening to the base, said distance being greater than those of saidmeans fastening to the inertial mass from said line, to provide lines ofaction of said positioning means converging in said mass, saidpositioning means including springs between said base and the inertialmass to produce forces along said lines of action to provide a masscentering bias; passageways for carrying fluid, said passagewayscommunicating with said cylinder, with a fluid containing sump, and witha discharge outlet; and valve means coupled to said passageways wherebymotions of the boat, and the resistance of the inertial mass to changeof motion, .moves said piston with respect to said cylinder to pumpfluid from the sump to the discharge outlet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,282,506 10/18West 23034 1,438,773 112/22 Marschalek 103-159 X 1,658,067 2/28 Wheeler23034 2,781,166 2/57 Flood et al. 23 0-175 LAURENCE V. EFNER, PrimaryExaminer. ROBERT M. WALKER, Examlz'ner.

1. AN INERTIA MACHINE MOUNTED TO A MOVABLE BASE FOR PERFORMING USEFULWORK IN RESPONSE TO MOTIONS OF THE BASE TO WHICH IT IS MOUNTED ANDCOMPRISING: AN INERTIAL MASS; RESILIENT MEANS COUPLED TO THE BASE ANDSUPPORTING SAID INERTIAL MASS AND NORMALLY POSITIONING SAID MASS AT ACERTAIN POINT WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE, THE RESILIENT MEANS PROVIDINGFREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MASS AND SAID MASS BEING MOVABLERECTILINEARLY AND CURVILINEARLY IN EVERY DIRECTION FROM SAID POINT;MEANS COUPLED BETWEEN SAID MASS AND SAID BASE AND HAVING A CHAMBERTHEREIN OF VARIABLE CAPACITY WHEREBY MOTIONS OF THE BASE CHANGE THEPOSITIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BASE AND SAID INERTIAL MASS TO CAUSEVARIATIONS IN CAPACITY OF THE CHANBER; A FLUID IN SAID CHAMBER; ANDVALVE MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CHAMBERED MEANS WHEREBY SAID MACHINE ISADAPTED TO PUMP SAID FLUID, SAID CHAMBERED MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TOMOVEMENTS OF SAID MASS IN EVERY DIRECTION FROM SAID POINT TO PUMP SAIDFLUID UPON EACH MOVEMENT OF SAID MASS FROM SAID POINT.